Miss New Zealand contestants visits Sanctuary of Truth

Twenty-five Kiwi beauties toured the Sanctuary of Truth as the Miss New Zealand pageant came to Pattaya.

Thai Ambassador to New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa Noppadol Theppithak chaperoned the two dozen contestants to the wooden temple in Naklua Aug. 6. He said the Tourism Authority of Thailand and New Zealand embassy brought the pageant to Thailand Aug. 1-7.

The contestants were briefed on international relations in regards to cooperative efforts to promote tourism in the past nine months, a period clouded by political unrest. The pageant is aimed at stimulating the tourism sector.

Sixteen of the 25 Miss New Zealand contestants touring Pattaya pose for a photo in front of the Sanctuary of Truth.

TAT chose Pattaya for the pageant thanks to its many tourist attractions and restaurants. The contestants visited the Mum Aroi restaurant, Thaithanee Market, and the Father Ray Foundation, among other locales. They stayed at the Cape Dara Resort.

The finals of the pageant will take place Sept. 18 in New Zealand. Pageant organizers invited Miss Universe Thailand to be a judge.